"Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you're the best"
- from the 1977 Carly Simon song "Nobody Does it Better"

The "You're So Vain" Jagger vs. Beatty debate is so yesterday. I'm more interested in who's "the best" and yes, I've figured out who Carly Simon must have been thinking of when she sang this lil' power ballad. Move aside James Bond. It was Seeff. Norman Seeff.

If this name doesn't ring a bell, that's because Norman Seeff flies under-the-radar. A prolific and masterful photographer and filmmaker, Norman's work belongs in the company of Avedon and Karsh. His photo sessions during the 1970s were legendary for their creative passion; his album covers were revolutionary (in addition to The Band, Ike & Tina and Rolling Stones, he also worked with Carly Simon) and his portrait work, oh, his iconic portraits have captured the essence of such greats as Ray Charles, Andy Warhol, Frank Zappa, Steve Martin, Patti Smith, Miles Davis and KISS.

As I croon Carly's tune (off-key, at best), I serenade Norman Seeff for creating decade-defining images and for his exploration of the creative process. Nobody does it better.

(Image used with permission from Norman Seeff)